STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING CHILD-FRIENDLY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA

The study was designed to identify strategies for enhancing child-friendly school environment in primary schools in Nigeria, with particular reference to Ebonyi State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population was made up of 9,022 public primary school teachers and head teachers; drawn from the three education zones in Ebonyi State. A sample size of 1,050 respondents; comprising of 1000 teachers and 50 head teachers was selected, using a stratified random sampling technique through, Taro Yamane’s formula for sample size determination. The instrument for data collection was a structured twenty-four item questionnaire titled “Strategy for enhancing child-friendly school Environment Questionnaire (SECFSEQ)” The instrument was subjected to face and content validation of three experts. The reliability of the instrument was assured using test-retest method, while a reliability coefficient of 0.75 was gotten using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Data collected were analyzed using Mean and Standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed among others that provision of infrastructural facilities and instructional materials constitute strategies for enhancing child-friendly school environment. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that the government at all levels, with particular reference to Ebonyi State government should demonstrate more commitments toward enhancing the fortune of school children through the provision of needed infrastructural facilities such as modern school buildings, source of portable water, health clinic, steady electric power supply and adequate instructional materials to enhance the friendly nature of school environment